Former Braves QB now the head coach

Former Braves QB now the head coach

If Kelly Hughes can recruit some players that mirror the talent he brought to junior football, the Burlington Braves will have a successful 2013.

Hughes, who handled the Braves quarterbacking duties from 2002-2004, was named the head coach of the Ontario Football Conference team this week.

It’s the 31-year-old’s first stint as a head coach. He was the Braves’ offensive co-ordinator in 2010.

He replaces former CFLer Mike Samples, who stepped down after a 2-6 year with the Braves in 2012.

After finishing his time with the Braves, Hughes joined the Mount Allison Mounties and was named the Atlantic University Sport’s MVP and Hec Crighton nominee as Canada’s top university player in 2008.

He also spent a year in Germany playing pro ball with the Bielefeld Bulldogs.

His day job is developing a player development software system for Noble Sports, which the Braves will use this season and will be launched commercially in about six months.

He has no hesitation in suggesting what type of player he’ll go after to lead the Braves to a winning record in 2013.

“I’m not afraid to suit up 20 guys,” he said. “I don’t have to have an army to go into a game. As long as they make the three practices and do their homework, they’ll be fine.”

That dedication also relates to making it to practice.

“They’ll have basic requirements we’ll need them to meet,” said Hughes. “If they can’t, I’ll thank them for coming out.”

And local talent isn’t a priority with Hughes.

“As long as they make it to practice, they can come from near and far,” he said.

After opening his first season at quarterback with the Braves in 2002 with a 2-6 record, the next two years Hughes provided Burlington fans with exciting teams that went 6-2 and 7-1 before being upset in the OFC final by St. Leonard in 2003 and in the first round of playoffs by Windsor in 2004.

Hughes’ running (he was among the league leaders in rushing) and passing led to him being named the OFC’s offensive player of the year in 2003.

A chance meeting with Braves president Larry Irish at this year’s OFC meeting led to discussions of Hughes applying for the head coaching job.

“It’s a challenge I look forward to,” he said. “I wouldn’t have taken it if I didn’t think I could take on the challenge.”

Hughes will name his assistant coaches in the near future. Indoor training has already begun.